Below are questions (asked by BizBen viewers like yourself) regarding buying and selling California small to mid-sized businesses that have been answered by a select Panel/Group Of Industry Experts. These Experts and Professionals consist of Business Brokers, Agents, Intermediaries, and Advisors who assist business buyers and owner/sellers on a daily basis. If you have a question you would like answered by this elite group of California Experts please feel free to phone Peter at 866-270-6278 and pose your question(s) to him to be answered.

I have been told different things - is the amount of inventory added to the purchase price when selling a business - or is it included in the price? Or should I structure my selling price excluding the inventory and take back a note? It seems as if when I add the inventory amount to the purchase price it seems too high for some reason.

I just made an offer to buy a business and would like to know what items I should get from the seller to initiate and complete my due diligence of the business? Also how long (time period) should I allocate for the due diligence process - 1 week? 4 weeks?

I am selling my business and have started to receive phone calls and emails from potential buyers. What questions (please list them all) should I ask them to prequalify them and make sure they're a viable candidate to buy my business? Also - are there any other items (paperwork) I should get from them before showing them my business and financial information?

I am thinking of selling my business to my manager (or to an outside buyer). Since he doesn't have any cash to put into the deal we're trying to structure our deal with some proven buyout options. What are some creative buyout options/deal structures for buyers/sellers of businesses? What variables do you base these buyouts on - gross sales, the adjusted net, etc.?

I am selling my business and wondering if I should use an escrow/bulk sale service to complete the deal. What are the advantages, disadvantages (to the seller and buyer) of using an escrow service? What is the cost? How long does it usually take? I know I could save some money not using one, but is it worth it?

Who Represents Me (The Buyer) In A Business Sales Transaction? Does The Broker/Agent Represent Me Or The Seller - Or Both? What Is The Best Way To Get The Best Possible Representation For My Needs (Buyer)?

I am In The Process Of Buying A Retail Store - At What Point In Time Does One Perform The Inventory Process And Get The Final Numbers In Escrow? Any Other Tips About The Inventory Process I Should Know About?